The Nationals go for their first-ever NL East title tonight at Busch Stadium.

ST. LOUIS — On Sept. 29, 2004, then-mayor Anthony Williams stood before a crowd at City Museum and announced Major League Baseball was returning to Washington, D.C. Though they didn't know yet what the soon-to-be-relocated Montreal Expos would be named, Williams and other officials wore red caps with a curly W logo on the front, the old Senators cap.

Exactly eight years later, a group of Washington Nationals wearing the same logo on their caps could have the opportunity to dog-pile in the middle of the diamond at Busch Stadium, celebrating their first-ever NL East crown and the first title of any kind for a D.C. baseball team since the 1933 Senators clinched tRHPhe AL pennant.

Two things must happen for that scene to play out: 1) The Nationals must defeat a hot Cardinals team that could be within one day of clinching its own postseason berth, and 2) The Braves must lose for the second consecutive night to the Mets. Both games will be taking place simultaneously, so there will be plenty of scoreboard watching from the Nats dugout.

The man on the mound trying to win this potential milestone game will be Jordan Zimmermann, a major piece of the organization's long-term building plan and certainly an appropriate pitcher to take the ball tonight. His teammates face a stiff challenge in Kyle Lohse (16-3, 2.77 ERA), though the Nationals did rough up the right-hander for eight runs four weeks ago in D.C.

Buckle up, folks. This could be a night to remember. I'll have all the updates right here, so please check back…

Exactly eight years later, a group of Washington Nationals wearing the same logo on their caps could have the opportunity to dog-pile in the middle of the diamond at Busch Stadium, celebrating their first-ever NL East crown and the first title of any kind for a D.C. baseball team since the 1933 Senators clinched the AL pennant.You really need to quit assuming this is going to happen tonight, Mark. You know what they say about assuming things. It's much more likely that the Nationals will be coming home having to clinch on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday against the Phillies, at the very same time they're celebrating the legacy of a mascot famed for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. What could possibly go wrong?

As someone who (along with my future wide) graduated from the high school bearing the name of the original Nats' greatest player, only four months before my much-loved expansion Senators final game, I have long been taught by baseball events to be cautious and recognize the potential for disappointment until the fat lady sings. Nonetheless, I think, Feel Wood, that "you really need to quit" telling our esteemed host here what he should or shouldn't write. He wrote "could have the opportunity", which is entirely true as it's conditional and not an assumption. How many qualifiers do you want him to pile on here? I'm going to take some circumspect enjoyment out of the potential of the evening in the midst of a thrilling roller coaster of a season, and if the magic number is greater than zero tomorrow morning, look forward hopefully to tomorrow's games.

Nonetheless, I think, Feel Wood, that "you really need to quit" telling our esteemed host here what he should or shouldn't write.He wrote "could have the opportunity", which is entirely true as it's conditional and not an assumption.He's been predicting potential clinch scenarios (incorrectly, I might add) every day for a week. I told him ONCE that he should quit doing that. Lighten up, Francis.

He's not assuming it's going to happen tonight. He's saying it's possible for it to happen tonight, which is true with the magic number at 2.He's got the lede for his story written already, and has published it already. That's no better than the store that was already selling Nationals Division Champion T-shirts.

Speaking of which, I don't mind saying that those things were pretty danged ugly, imho. I like the Natitude ones better. That's no better than the store that was already selling Nationals Division Champion T-shirts.

I understand, Feel Wood, to want something so bad you are afraid to hope for it for fear of being disappointed. I'm not saying that's how you're feeling but this last week of baseball has been about as tense as it gets. And we're not even in the playoffs yet! What a mess I will be. But, it " hurts so good" watching these games, ( even stinkers like last night).Go boys! I'd love for them to clinch tonight but secretly hope its Tuesday at Nats park when I'm there.

I should perhaps clarify that I only know that because I saw a story about it that included a picture of said shirt, which I did not attempt to purchase. Speaking of which, I don't mind saying that those things were pretty danged ugly, imho. I like the Natitude ones better.

Ouch. I think maybe if one looked up "snake-bit" in the dictionary, his picture would be there.Ghost Of Steve M. said… Ryan Howard just dropped the weighted warm-up bat on his foot and broke it. September 29, 2012 4:31 PM

Oof, not me. I want it to happen sooner rather than later. I don't need to be there. (Hi, Davey!) kaithxbai. I'd love for them to clinch tonight but secretly hope its Tuesday at Nats park when I'm there.

If you're going to complain about writing the lede for a story in advance, you probably think it's wrong for him to write his Instant Analysis during the 8th and 9th innings so he can post it immediately after the last out. And who knows what you think about having a 10,000 word obituary of a notable person in the can so it can be published the day after he or she dies. Lots of us have been enjoying talking about clinching scenarios for the few weeks. zregime first wrote "We got this" on Sept. 5. I said "the Phillies are toast" on Sept. 6. Neither bit of optimism has had the least bit of effect on what has actually transpired. Our magic number is 2. I'm enjoying this, just like I've enjoyed this entire month of September baseball, the first time we've played meaningful baseball in that month since I started following this team in 2005

I keep thinking that, for once, I just want something to be easy. I want the Nats to dominate throughout the game so there is no stress. I want the Braves to be waay behind their entire game so there is no stress. But, then I think – that's just not how we roll. If there is not adrenaline and extreme nail-biting, then it's just not a Nats game. But, maybe, just for one golden night? Maybe? Nah – don't count on it. It's the hard way, every step of the way, for us I fear. Go Nats — scratch and claw and grind and battle. Starting pitchers have been terrifying in September. Would love some nice Nats Bats!

Oh fer goodness sakes, Feel Wood, now you're being silly.Mark is a WRITER not a fan. So what if he has his lede already written? He's not predicting anything. From 10 days ago on, we ALL have been looking forward to the next day we could clinch fercryingoutloud. What the he** else is he gonna talk about?! The bullpen catcher? Not to mention the fact that through tweets, in-game updates, previews, instant analyses, etc., he gives us about 10 stories a day. Just cuz you're a little tense doesn't mean Mark is doing his job wrong. Sheesh.

NatsFan SS — I agree – I want no backing into it. That being said — it just galls me that it's going to take more than 95 freaking wins to take the division. Some of these other teams have clinched with way fewer. Our division is a beast.

If you're going to complain about writing the lede for a story in advance, you probably think it's wrong for him to write his Instant Analysis during the 8th and 9th innings so he can post it immediately after the last out. And who knows what you think about having a 10,000 word obituary of a notable person in the can so it can be published the day after he or she dies.I don't care if he writes it or even storyboards it in advance. He shouldn't be publishing it in advance. If nothing else, that's a sure guarantee that whatever he's written will likely prove irrelevant.

And on E-Jax, you're entitled to your opinion, but do you really think our rotation this year would have been as good with Lannan for the full year instead of E-Jax?Take a look at Jackson's line for this season and compare it with Lannan's lines for his last couple of full seasons. Jackson's line is no better, so yes, I would say Lannan could easily have done what Jackson did.If Rizzo thought that Lannan was as good as E-Jax, he could have had him in the bigs and saved the Lerners $11 million plus the cost of Lannan's bus tickets back and forth to Syracuse. I don't think their respective performances this year have changed his assessment.Rizzo didn't sign Jackson because he was unsure of what Lannan could do. He signed him because he was unsure of Detwiler. I don't fault him for signing Jackson. It was a good move. But that doesn't mean that he automatically needs to keep him.

I don't know. I was responding to Ghost, who posted it.baseballswami said… natsfan1a – that Ryan Howard thing – is that today? Did that actually happen? Talk about snake bit. The guy could barely run at all this season as it is. September 29, 2012 4:43 PM

Joe, I've been taking various "stuff" for a bad back — caused by lugging 19 cases of wine and beer to, and hours of dancing at my daughter's wedding last Saturday — so I've been fairly successful at feeling no pain. But if you could send over some of that pulled pork, I do have some Dominion Ale left in the fridge I could share….

Of course Svrluga, who, uh, really admired Hill's sinker, would be right on top of it. :-)Barry Svrluga ‏@barrysvrlugaOld-time Nats fans: star-crossed RHP Shawn Hill — he of 2 TJ surgeries and countless mysterious ailments — won a major league game today.

Kilgore calls this the Nats rubber stamp lineup. Time for Espinosa to get another shot of something! I should check and see if Natsfarm Brian Oliver weighed in on Rendon playing 2nd in the AZ fall league. I wonder … perhaps Danny would prefer to play shortstop? And has made that known through the appropriate channels? Perhaps that's why?Shawn Hill? Former Nats assistant GM there … he seems to covet the Nats talent reservoir at times.

But that doesn't mean that he automatically needs to keep him. Actually, they could use another left-hander. I think Drew mentioned David Price. Have to admit if Rizzo is going for someone this offseason I would think he'd be the guy. Three lefties against the Phillies and the Brave … three power pitcher potential Cy Young lefties. But, I guess we'll see.

I know this has been brought up here before and both Phil Wood and Cue-ball head (I love Mike, just having fun)have discussed this from both a sentimental standpoint and a public relations one.The Nationals need to invite on the house, all the old timers who are still alive ( I have heard about 6 to 8 from 1933 and one from 1925) who attended the last Nats World Series games. Have them on the filed prior to the game and announce them over the PA by name, tell them that you boys or gals of many summer ago have finally come home, have them sit behind the Nats dugout. That would truly be a "Night to Remember" and there would not be a dry in Nats Park

Shawn Hill is also Canadian. That might be why the Blue Jays were interested in him, as opposed to Nats envy.We can dream about adding David Price to the rotation, but he won't be a free agent until 2016. I doubt any of us would be willing to give up what the Rays would undoubtedly ask for to give up such a valuable player. Probably more than the A's did for Gio.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said…Michael Dempsey said…"If we do not clinch today we could clinch tomorrow which is the anniversary of the final game for the Senators: Sept. 30, 1971.Now that would be fitting as I just got chills!!!

We can dream about adding David Price to the rotation, but he won't be a free agent until 2016. I doubt any of us would be willing to give up what the Rays would undoubtedly ask for to give up such a valuable player.Give them Rendon, Detwiler and a couple of lower prospects. That should be plenty.

Usually Cards fans are better tempered than to boo at such a juncture but it's understandable under those bizarre circumstances. If I was a Cards fan there I' be saying WTF?But it looks like a lot of empty seats for a big game like this at this point in the season.

Swift — that would be funny but you fon't want to mess with umps who are so confused.Did they even make the HR sign? Or did the Beast have to do his little pantomime first?Crazy. But of course we'll all VERY happily take that any game!

Thanks for the link Nats Lady…Maybe it's just me, but I've always thought that if you are against The Chop (or the Wave), then just don't participate…I mean, imagine all the poor sharks who are offended when Roger Bernadina enters a game at Nats Park…

Missed last night's game an no way was I going back to read the game thread. Had this game on DVR and still can't get over the HR pantomime by Morse. Never seen anything like that before. GYFNG!I have a sparkling beverage in the fridge, just in case…

And if they clinch tonight or tomorrow, that Phillies series won't be a problem because the Phillies are eliminated and the Nats have already clinched.I think I read that somewhere, in some prediction…

Late to the party, but, Feel Wood, I think you are 100% "off base" on the above.I think it's essentially obligatory that, when the magic number reaches two at the start of a day (where both teams — i.e., the Nats and Braves are playing), that writers point out that "today could be the day they clinch."Because, after all, it is the first day all season where one can make that statement, which happens to be 100% true.And, for that reason, any good reporter should point that out, no?

All right, if we're still weighing in, I gotta go contrarian here, and side with FeelWood. He was half in jest, for one thing; for another, Mark's a big boy, he can take a light-hearted shot like that, I'm sure, and sleep fine tonight; and, how to say this … you have to consider the source.

I 'm listening to Charlie and Dave and I cracked up when Morse went back to mime his home run because Charlie instantly made the call as if it just happened again. I just watched the video replay and I'm cracking up all over again because Bob did the exact same thing.

I really do not have a problem with Zim staying in… my problem is with the GARBAGE in blue calling balls and strikes, once again another punk umpire with little man's disease trying to dictate a well played game, I am so sick of it!On the Nats end, I think Espi and Desi can give better efforts at bat, especially Espi

Two called strikes on Duda showed to be away. In our game, strike zone has changed the other way. Crazy HR reversal, then stop in the Nats dugout tomtalk about it before they call it. Then the rewind to get the bases loaded and the pantomime swing. Geez! Now we know where the replacement NFL reps went.

Scott Margenau said…Ok…which commercial is the worst? Miracle hair, Scott's turf (hate that guy) or WB Mason (creepy)so I am not the only one, lol fr some reason I think of Penn State when I see the WB Mason commercial

This used to be so much easier when I was rooting for the Mets in the near-post-season. I didn't love them as much as I love the Nats, though. Or else I had a lot more wine then. I do like that FP keeps reminding us this is what it's like, and enjoy it. Because it bumps me out of my tension.C'mon Typler!

Look at it this way, the Nats are the only NL playoff team playing meaningful games against good teams…Everyone else in the NL is either locked into their playoff spot or playing opponents who have checked out..It has to help down the road to play all these tight games v. good teams